VSG Maintenance Group
Thursday July 2nd
on 7/2/15 5:29 am
good morning all.
scale down today, a surprise but a welcome one.
yesterday ran into an acquaintance that had same surgery and while she is doing well she has gained back 50 pounds. We are going to encourage each other.
there are days , like the convicted bank robber, when all food smarts go out the window and the emotions swamp all sense.
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How wonderful that you are going to support one another! That's great!
I'm triggered by your comment about food smarts going out the window and the emotions taking over. This is exactly what I've been working on for several months. There's a technique that has really worked for me. It was hard to let go and actually do it, but it has been so productive over time. I am simply amazed at the changes I'm making in my daily behavior.
Next time you have one of those moments when compulsion takes over, or all sense goes out the window, or you binge, or whatever you want to call it, instead of fighting it and feeling guilty, go with it. Let yourself eat whatever it is you want BUT, and this is the big BUT, step back from the situation on a mental level and observe your behaviors. Notice how the food tastes at first, during and near the end of your eating. Does it change? How do you feel when you are done eating - not emotionally, but physically? As you observe yourself during and think about it afterwards, are you able to understand what purpose the eating served? Above all, give yourself permission to eat without guilt. That's the key to being able to figure out what the heck is going on. As long as you beat yourself up (even on the tiniest level) you won't be able to really figure out what's going on.
I have learned for myself that whenever I have a compulsive eating episode there must be no shame, remorse or guilt attached to it. There was a reason it happened. After months of working on this I am able to now "feel" the episode coming and am often able to negotiate my way through it without eating. Sometimes not.
For some reason this approach (while terrifying initially) has worked well for me. Perhaps it's because I hit my proverbial bottom with binge episodes, poor eating choices, etc... that I was open to a different approach. I think that for some of us who struggle with these types of eating behaviors, it warrants looking beyond simply sticking with the "right" food choices. It's worth taking stock, indulging in self inspection, getting in touch with one's inner self to better understand the void that the eating and food is trying to fill.
I know this all sounds like psycho babble, but you know, it really sucks to be one of those people who is constantly battling oneself and weight. Yes, there are those who "get it" more easily. But for some of us, it takes more work. I'm finally willing to do this work because the eating and food life I was leading was killing me.
CRAP - Off my soap box!
Anyhow, down another 1.2 today.
